GC2018 Supports Campaign to Protect Children Around the World

An international initiative aimed at educating sports fans and the general public about the issue of knowing the signs of child abuse and exploitation will have a presence at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

‘It’s a Penalty’ (IAP) works with the governing bodies of sports and organisers of major sporting events to highlight the global problems associated with child abuse.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) CEO, Mark Peters said he was pleased to provide opportunities through GC2018 to increase awareness of ‘IAP’ and all that it stands for.

"IAP uses sporting events like the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games as platforms to share their message to unite through sport and encourage education and awareness to know the signs of child abuse and exploitation.

"We signed a memo of understanding early this year to demonstrate our commitment to work with IAP and will provide them with opportunities, including in-venue video, information in media packs and support through our GC2018 digital channels," Mr Peters said.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Chief Executive Officer, David Grevemberg CBE said the CGF aims to be a global leader in the promotion and protection of human rights and child safeguarding.

"We’re proud to support, share expertise and partner with It’s a Penalty to help develop this important global child-safeguarding initiative in 2018," Mr Grevemberg said.

IAP Chief Executive Officer, Sarah de Carvalho MBE said prevention is infinitely preferable to cure when it comes to child abuse.

"Our extensive efforts with GOLDOC and the CGF is invaluable for the work we are undertaking in 2018.

"From our experience with previous global sporting events, we know how crucial it is to educate, equip and encourage the public to stop more children becoming victims of sexual violence.

"We cannot thank the organisations enough for the support they have already shown and will continue to show in the build-up and then throughout the eleven days of world class sport," Mrs de Carvalho said.

ENDS

For more information, please email media@goldoc.com or contact:

Tamara Morris: +61 400 658 429

Manager Communication and Media

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

It’s a Penalty:

IAP positions major sporting events as platforms for positive change across all societies by educating, equipping and encouraging the general public to #knowthesigns of child abuse exploitation and to take action – ‘if you see something, say something’.

IAP believe we all have a part to play in building a safer world for children. It’s a Penalty work to prevent crimes against children by:

- Educating sporting fans, tourists, local residents and the general public about the global issues of child abuse, exploitation and trafficking, and to recognise the signs of child abuse and exploitation;

- Encouraging everyone that ‘if you see something say something’;

- Equipping people with the mechanisms to both identity and report these crimes.

It’s a Penalty is working closely with Bravehearts, a leading Gold Coast-based child protection organisation, to provide volunteers for IAP’s Games time activities.

Find out more at www.itsapenalty.org.

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